As tourism continues to increase and become an ever more important part of the Japanese economy, the Japanese government has made it easier for visitors from several countries to enter as tourists. 71 counties from around the world can enter Japan on a visa free entry permit, most of which get 90 days entry, including the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Indonesia and Thailand get 15 days and nationals from Brunei, the UAE and Qatar get 30 days. See the full list of countries that have Exemption of Visa (Short-Term Stay) on the Japan Government website -> Here
There are situations where you will want to stay in Japan for more than 90 days, such as wanting to see parts of Japan you have not yet been to or house hunting. The Japanese government allow an extension for another 90 days from a handful of counties. These include Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. This will help guide you through this process on how to stay longer in Japan if you are from these locations wanting to extend you stay when in Tokyo with a similar system if in other places around Japan.
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How to extend your Visa free Tourist entry permit in Tokyo
Step 1 – Visit your nearest Immigration office
In the last month of your current entry permit in Japan you should decide whether you want to extend your visit, you need to take your passport and go to the local immigration office in the area you are in (for this example Tokyo Immigration Bureau) in Minato-Ku, in the south of Tokyo. There are a few different ways to get to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau.
From Shinjuku Station you can take the JR Saikyo Line to Tennōzu Isle Station and then walk 15/20, over the brige and past the shipping containers. alternatively, you can take the Yamanote Line to Shinagawa Station and, walk over to the Shinagawa Sta. Kōnanguchi (Kōnan Exit) bus stop and then take the 品９９ Shinagawa-Futō (circular bus) to Tokyo Nyūkoku-Kanrikyoku (Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau). Both take around 40 minutes.
From Tokyo station you can take one of the 4 lines that stop at Shinagawa station, Keihin Tohoku Line, Joban Line, Yamanote Line and Yokosuka Line and then swap onto the same 品９９ Shinagawa-Futō (circular bus) to Tokyo Nyūkoku-Kanrikyoku. This takes around 25 to 30 minutes.
Step 2 – Find the correct desk
When inside you need to get 4 forms. In the Tokyo Immigration Bureau go up the escalator straight in front of you after you enter, then on the first-floor head over to the brown signed section to the left called the Trainee and Temporary Visitor Inspection Department.
If you are in a different location or confused go up to the main reception desk and explain that you want to extend your visa free entry permit, and they should guide you to the correct place or give you the documents you need and explain what is next.
In Tokyo there is a good number of multilingual staff but in other locations it will be worth having your passport ready, and explain you want to extend, also utalising Google Translate could help get some the basic information across.
Step 3 – Fill Out the Necessary Forms
Once you are at the correct desk, pick a ticket and wait for it to be called. Once called, go up, show your passport, and confirm that you wish to extend your stay, making sure to mention that you are from one of the seven eligible countries.
You will be given 4 forms that you need to fill out. 2 forms with formal information about passport and personal details, address of where you are staying in Japan, home address, where you have been in Japan and where you plan to visit next, if you have a flight booked out of Japan and its number and how much money you have left to spend. There is another document asking what activates you have done and where you wish to go next with more room to explain as well as other information. There is also 1 page of lined paper where you need to write a paragraph explaining how why you want to stay in Japan and why they should give you an extension.
It is important to fill out these documents truthfully and sign where instructed.
Step 4 – Hand the Forms in
Once filled out you need to give these documents back. In Tokyo you give the 4 documents to the person that gave them to you, or in other locations, to the Application Counter depending which immigration office you are visiting.
Step 5 – Wait and the buy Review stamp
Wait for your application to be approved. This can take 1/2 hour or longer. Once called up or found by the person who you applied with, you will be asked to buy a 4000 Yen Review stamp in a way to pay for the extension. These can usually be bought in the nearest convenience store for Cash Only and are usually found in the same building. In the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau, it is the Family Mart on the bottom floor.
Step 6 – Collect your 90 extension
Go back to the relevant desk and hand in the review stamp, sign one last document and get your passport back with you 90 extension stuck in! Then head back into Tokyo and enjoy your extended stay in Japan.
Location Differences
This process can vary a lot depending on the location and experience of the individual. Different reginal immigration offices will have different processes. There is a great examples on Reddit of someone who extended their visa free entry permit at the Osaka regional immigration office which can be found -> Here.
Double check relevent websites
This is simply a guide and the validity of information may be different in your own experience and immigration procedures and valid countries could have changed so it is best to check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Website of any changes, that can be found -> Here
Q&As
Is it possible to extend a Visa free Tourist entry permit in Japan?
If you are from Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom you can apply for a 90 day extension to your 90 day Visa free Tourist entry permit making it up to 180 day or half a year.
How long can a tourist stay in Japan without a visa?
Tourists from 71 countries can enter Japan Visa Free with most getting 90 days entry, including the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Indonesia and Thailand get 15 days and nationals from Brunei, the UAE and Qatar get 30 days. see the full list Here.
What do you need to take with you when applying to Extend your Visa free Tourist entry permit in Japan?
You must take yourself and your passport. Pens are provided but bringing one could also be a good idea as it could take some time until they are free. also a book to keep yourself occupied and a power bank to keep your phone charged. You do not need a pasport photo.
When should I get to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau?
Generally, the earlier the better, many of the desks don’t open till 9am but the building itself is open before then so 8:45am to 9:00 am is best. It is known to get busier as the day goes on.
What happens if you overstay your tourist visa in Japan?
The usual procedure if you overstay your Tourist Visa or Visa free Tourist entry permit in Japan is, after going to your local Immigration Bureau you will be asked to leave within a set time frame and be banned to going back to Japan for 1 year. If you broke any other area of your entry permit or visa (such as work) you could be detained at immigration, deported, even taken to an immigration detention facility and banned from Japan for up to 5 years.
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